Reinforcement insert in particular for heels of overshoes



Jan. 3, 1961 J. LOEWENGART ET AL REINFORCEMENT INSERT IN PARTICULAR FOR HEELS OF OVERSHOES EL PM. g

Filed May 15, 1958 ZNVENTOR.

AMA/ J :SE/VN/SOAI Mm WAGLMNHEIMEQ REINFORCEMENT INSERT IN PARTICULAR FOR HEELS F OVERSHOES Filed May 15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,492

1 Claim. (Cl. 36-7.3)

The present invention relates to overshoes or galoshes made from elastic rubber latex and like material in which the heel and/or sole of the overshoe require suitable reinforcement.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide means affording inexpensive production of a highly eificient rubber reinforcement insert for an overshoe which latter may present a relatively thin-walled body throughout.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means efiicaciously protecting in particular the heel of the rubber latex overshoe interiorly thereof, whereby the heel may readily yield to outer applied pressure, will prevent penetration of pebble stones, glass pieces, etc. thereinto, and will withstand shearing and cutting forces.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide means facilitating the conversion of rubber latex galoshes or overshoes into sturdy and strong structures, whereby the outer appearance of the overshoes will not be changed or its style modified.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide means leading to a highly economical and durable construction of an overshoe made of latex and like rubber material which, although thin-walled throughout its body, may be readily reinforced from therewithin, so that the overshoe will oifer great resistance to frictional and other stresses.

Yet a further object of the invention resides in the provision of means contributing to a laminated or pad insert structure with a first stratum to be engaged by the heel of the wearers shoe when inserted in the overshoe, a second stratum of relatively heavy and firm rubber below said first stratum and finally a third or sponge rubber stratum directly overlying the inner surface of the overshoe located in the heel and between said inner surface and said second stratum, said second stratum having an upright side wall tapering toward the base of said second stratum to aiford also great strength to said heel of the overshoe in lateral direction.

The above and other objects of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is an elevational view in section of an overshoe embodying the invention and showing a wearers shoe inserted therein;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view in section of an insert body employable with this invention; and

Fig. 3 shows an insert body or element similar to that of Fig. 2 in somewhat modified form.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is shown an overshoe made from rubber latex or like elastic plastic material having throughout its body and shape uniform and equal wall thickness 11. The heel 12 proper of the overshoe 10 is hollow and is provided with an insert body 15 having the base layer 13 and upright *1 2,966,749 Patented Jan. 3, 1961 walls 14, which taper in upward direction to terminate in an end 16. The outer surface 17 of insert 15 is substantially conformable to the contour of the inner surface 18 of the heel 12, and is preferably attached to the latter along the inner surface 18 of the heel by means of an adhesive 19 or another means to substantially permanently aflix the insert 15 in the heel of the overshoe.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the insert body 15 is cup-shaped and has a base 13 of greater wall thickness than the upright walls 14 which extend from said base 13.

Either attached directly to the lower face 13a of base member 13 or below same independently of the latter is a foam rubber stratum 20 of a thickness somewhat less than that of the base member 13 proper, which is made from a relatively firm rubber material. Inserted in the cup-shaped body 15 at the top 21 of base member 13 is a reinforcing hardened plastic mesh layer 22, preferably made from nylon or other pressure-resistant hard plastic material adapted to withstand the stresses and wear conditions exerted by the heel 25 of the wearers shoe 26, when inserted in the composite heel of the overshoe.

The soft or sponge rubber stratum 20 is connected with the body of the cup-shaped insert 15 in any appropriate manner through bonding, etc.

It will ensue from the aforesaid disclosure that without changing the style and outer appearance of the latex overshoe the heel thereof and, if desired, also the sole of the overshoe may be suitably reinforced by an insert body of the type hereinabove disclosed, whereby the upright side walls 14, 16 due to their particular shape contribute to a durable and wear-resistant heel or like structure of the plastic or latex overshoe, which for simplicity sake may have equal and uniform wall thickness throughout its body.

This insert has been found to be applicable also to existing plastic overshoes, which require an inner reinforcement insert of the type hereinabove disclosed in order to prolong the wear of the overshoe.

It is, of course, understood that layer 22 hereinabove referred to may be omitted in certain cases where the heel 25 of the shoe is not very pointed at its lower end so that the top surface 21 of the firm rubber base member 13 is able to withstand pressure and frictional engagement of the heel of the shoe.

It is to be noted that the outer bottom surface 25a of the heel of the overshoe 10 when encountering pebble stones, glass pieces or like obstacles will readily take up penetration forces exerted thereby due to the provision of the aforesaid soft or sponge rubber stratum 20, whereas the heel 25 due to the disposition of the foam rubber stratum 20 below the base member 13 and intermediate the latter end and the inner surface 251) of the bottom 25a of the heel will bring about a cushioning elfect and great convenience to the wearer during walking, thus contributihg to the equalization of the pressure exerted from within the overshoe heel and from the outside thereagainst.

The upwardly reducing and tapering side wall or walls 14 aid in the guidance during insertion of the heel 25 into the heel of the overshoe, and also afiord lateral reinforcement to the heel of the overshoe.

It is to be understood that the outer surface of insert 15 may be roughened at 17a providing a better surface for the accumulation of the adhesive during attachment of the insert to the inner surface of the respective overshoe part.

It is further to be remarked that instead of firm rubber a suitable plastic material, known per se, of a sufficient wear resistance may be used, and that instead of nylon mesh material a piece of hardened plastic material or fiber or leather may be employed. Instead of sponge rubber, known plastic sponge material may be used.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

In a rubber overshoe having a hollow heel defined by inner side walls and a bottom wall having an inner surface, the thickness of all walls being substantially uniform throughout; a cup-shaped heel insert body provided hwith a relatively firm rubber base layer and with upright side walls integral with said base layer, said side walls of said insert body decreasing in thickness and tapering from said base layer toward contiguous inner side walls of said hollow heel, said insert body including an upper layer of hardened plastic mesh supported by and connected to said base layer, means attaching said insert body to said inner side walls of said heel and to said inner surface of said bottom wall of said heel, and a lower layer of foam rubber material connected to said base layer, said base layer being approximately of a thickness corresponding to the thickness of said upper layer and of said lower layer, thereby to equalize pressure exerted with-in said insert body by the heel of a'wearers shoe and from the outside against the heel of said overshoe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

